From the Principal's Desk

Personalised Learning Plan Meetings

We would welcome your input in the form of a 10 minute meeting to discuss your child’s progress at school and to view their personalised learning plan. The process would involve an organised time to meet at school in person or by phone.  We really encourage students, parents and teachers to meet together as part of a three-way interview, however we are happy to adapt this if you wish.

As part of the plan, teachers will identify an area in English and Maths where they feel students would be able to progress further and they will provide ideas on how this can occur. Parents and students are also invited to put forward a “personal goal” to be included in the plan. Overall progress across all areas of their learning will also be discussed. Our meetings will be focused and productive, hence the need for only ten minutes of your time.

We are currently holding interviews from now until the end of term. We are leaving meeting times open to assist you in managing work and family commitments with staff available at various times between 8.30am and 3.15pm.

If you would like to arrange a time to meet with your child’s teacher, please contact us at the office to organise a suitable time.

We look forward to meeting with you soon.

Upper Division Coffs Harbour Excursion

I have had to make the difficult decision to cancel our excursion to Coffs Harbour in September for our Upper Division students. We haven't received enough notes and payment for the excursion to go ahead.  I completely understand that money for such events is limited for many of us, so please know that I do understand that we cannot participate in everything.  

I will have a think about what we might be able to do as a smaller event later in the year, or that we get into a routine of a major excursion every second year. 

We will be able to refund the $50 deposit from each family who has made a deposit to the school. We will organise this for you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

Welcome Mr Trendall

We welcome Mr Robert Trendall to our school who is a UNE Pre Service Teacher.  Mr Trendall is working with Miss Miller and her English and Maths groups as well as Upper Division for the other subject areas.  Mr Trendall will be with us between now and early next term. 

Inquiring Minds Camp

We wish Henry, Naomi, Phoebe and Anna all the best as they will be attending the Inquiring Minds Camp at Thalgarrah next Tuesday and Wednesday. The camp is specifically designed to challenge students in their creative and critical thinking skills.  All the best to you all!

2023 Rocky River Annual School Report

I have completed our school's Annual Report for 2023 and this is now live on our school website.  The annual report looks back on the 2023 school year and reports on school achievements, our progress towards achieving our school planning goals and contains financial information. 

School Photo Day - First Friday Back Next Term

Our school photo day will be held on Friday 3rd May.  This is the first Friday back next term.  Photos will be taken at 9am sharp.  (Staff photos will be taken at 8.30am).  Please ensure your children are dressed in full school uniform. All families should have received an email with the order/payment details.  If you haven't received this information or have any queries regarding ordering please contact MSP photography on the details below.

UNE Discovery Workshops @ Rocky River

We will have a visit from the UNE Discovery team next Wednesday.  All students (K-6) will be involved in workshops around two focus areas:

• Paleo Puzzles
• Creative Chemistry

The workshops will commence at 9am and will be held at school, there is no cost to students for this event.

Cross Country - Next Thursday 11th April

The Small Schools Cross Country will be held on Thursday 11th April.  Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will be able to participate in this event.

This carnival allows Rocky River students to participate in events with our Thunderbolts Alliance schools and is also part of the selection process for the Armidale District Cross Country carnival to be held on Friday 24th May for those students who are turning 8 or above in 2024. 

Venue: Uralla Sporting Complex – Racecourse Rd (opposite the Uralla Golf Club)

Date:  Thursday 11th April 2024

Students arrive 9:00 – 9:30am ready for a 10am start.

Please Note:  Bus students will be dropped off at the Uralla Sporting Complex in the morning however parents will need to make arrangements for the afternoon as all students will need to be collected from the venue by 1.30pm and can finish for the day.  Students can be dropped off back at school if necessary as there will be teacher supervision until 3pm and bus students will be collected as usual. 

Students are required to wear Rocky River sports uniform and bring a bottle of water,  a hat and sunscreen. 

Canteen Facilities: There will be a canteen available run by our P&C, please see the attached information.

Please also see an attached agenda of events.  We don't have times on the agenda as we will run each event as the previous once finishes.

"Switching Off" - Contact Outside of School Hours

The NSW Department of Education has developed a set of protocols and procedures for schools about how staff communicate with parents outside of school hours.  As principal, I have been asked to provide the following information to our school community.

Our school welcomes contact from parents and carers during the hours of 8.00am-3.30pm by phone or via email to the school's email account (rockyriver-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au).  We will always try and return your call/email as soon as possible between these hours. 

All staff across the state, have been asked not to respond outside these hours unless it is an emergency.  After school operating hours are reserved for rest and family time, and not for digital communication. 

Principals have also been asked not to contact their staff outside of these hours unless absolutely necessary.

I thank our community for your respect and trust you will help us to all have a healthy work/life balance.

As always, if there is an emergency, please contact me on the school mobile number:  0436 942 430.

P&C Annual General Meeting - Monday afternoon

The P&C will hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and General Meeting, on Monday 8th April from 5.30pm. Everyone is most welcome to come along.  Please see further information in the P&C section of this newsletter.

Harmony Day 2024 @ Rocky River - Friday 12th April

We are a bit late, but we will be celebrating Harmony Day on Friday 12th April, the last day of Term 1. Students are invited to wear something "Orange" if they can. We will be working through some activities in class to learn about respecting each other along the lines of this year's theme:  Everyone Belongs.  The day will be a celebration that recognises Australia's diversity and brings people together from many different backgrounds

Scholastic Book Fair

From Monday of Week 2 to Monday Week 3 of Term 2 (6th - 13th May) we will hold our annual book fair, parents are invited to come in and have a look at the books available from 8:30 to 9:00am and again from 3:00 to 3:30 pm each day of the fair.  Students will be invited to complete a wish list to take home but this is only to indicate what they are interested in, there is no expectation for parents to purchase books from the fair, it is purely an opportunity to extend your home library or buy gifts if you wish.

In previous years we have had a lot of support from our school community with the book fair and we are extremely grateful for this support. Our school earns scholastic rewards points for the total amount of sales from the fair, we then use these rewards points to purchase some great resources for our school.

Further information will be sent home with students early next term.

Happy Holidays

It is hard to believe it but we are nearing the end of Term 1.  Students and staff will finish Term 1 next Friday 12th April for a 2 week break.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for such a wonderful start to the year.  2024 is turning out to be another terrific year with so many learning opportunities for our students.  I hope all students and staff have a well earned break.

Please see dates below for Term 2:

Monday 29th April - School Development Day (Staff Only)

Tuesday 30th April - Students return to school for Term 2  

On the first day back next term, I will provide a Term 2 information pack with a calendar of events for your planning.  In the mean-time, please keep an eye on the Audiri App calendar page.

Have a great holiday everyone!

Brad Hunt

Principal